Hua Tong's expression sharpened. She finally understood why the two had come together to visit Huaxian Gate. Whatever they could uncover in the Western Region, Huaxian Gate could also uncover given time. Their true purpose was to warn her that the evil cultivators would use the Five Regions Tournament to create chaos.
"There's no need for you two to worry. This is not the first time Huaxian Gate has hosted the Five Regions Tournament. Considering the recent chaos caused by the evil cultivators, I will make preparations in advance."
Seeing that Hua Tong had caught their meaning, Hao Yi and Ming Jia rose to take their leave. Ming Jia was the first to step out of the cave, while Hao Yi lagged behind by two steps. She turned to Hua Tong and spoke.
"Hua Tong Daoyou, Wei Yunxi of my sect has no ties to the new secret realm in Baohua Mountain. You may withdraw those keeping watch on her."
Her words were blunt, a clear gesture of support for Wei Yunxi.
Hua Tong merely nodded silently, which was answer enough.
Neither of them knew that Yunxi, who was now heading to the Wei family in Haoran City, had already drawn Huaxian Gate's attention.
After reporting her plans to her master, Yunxi headed to the Inner Gate's disciple hall to update her identity jade token. She also received a robe crafted specifically for Nascent Soul cultivators, as well as spirit stones and pills.
The elder in charge was once again Elder Han. When he saw Yunxi, he bowed respectfully."Greetings, Martial Uncle Wei."
Yunxi smiled and waved a hand. "Elder Han, no need for formalities. I'll trouble you again to replace my jade token."
Elder Han grinned, bowing with a gleam in his eyes. "It's no trouble at all. This is my duty."
He ushered Yunxi inside and quickly handled all the procedures.
Yunxi clipped her new token to her waist and swept the robe, spirit stones, and pills into her sleeve. "Elder Han, I recall owing the sect a sum of spirit stones for overusing the Qingye Pool before entering the Baohua Mountain secret realm. I'll settle that debt now."
She was flush with wealth now, and with her trip to the secret realm as a cover, giving extra spirit stones wouldn't raise suspicion.
Elder Han replied immediately. "Martial Uncle Wei, Yu Ling Zūnzhě has already paid that debt in full."
Yunxi chuckled. That was the benefit of having a master. She tossed Elder Han a jade bottle before flashing out of the hall.
Elder Han held the bottle, beaming. Inside was a fourth-grade Barrier-Breaking Pill, perfect for helping him break through his bottleneck to late Golden Core stage.
Yunxi's swift departure from the hall drew little attention.
Not long after she left, Sheng Yuhong entered the hall to update his sect missions. During the exchange, Elder Han mentioned Yunxi's return. "Elder Han, are you certain Wei Yunxi has emerged from seclusion?"
"Of course. I personally updated Martial Uncle Wei's jade token. She's now at mid-Nascent Soul stage."
Sheng Yuhong's mouth fell open slightly. He didn't know whether to ask more questions.
During the Baohua Mountain expedition, Haoran Sect had lost over a dozen disciples. When they were ejected from the secret realm, Hao Hui and Hao Qing Zūnzhě had detained them, checked their souls, and only then allowed them aboard the ship.
It was only after regrouping that he learned evil cultivators had infiltrated the secret realm, plotting to spark conflict between the regions and using Soul-Nurturing Stones to implant demonic spirits into cultivators. The possessed would act as spies in various sects.
Even Li Chang, who was on the Western Region's wanted list, had appeared in the secret realm, attempting to refine the realm spirit. He had been driven out by Haoran Sect's disciples.
At the time, they had felt proud. Rumors swirled that a senior cultivator from the sect, perhaps an aged Divine Transformation Zūnzhě nearing the end of their lifespan, had dealt the heavy blow to Li Chang.
It wasn't until Sheng Yuhong returned and spoke with his master that he learned the truth: the one who turned the tide was none other than Wei Yunxi, who had claimed to be in seclusion. The realization left him shaken. They had speculated about every Divine Transformation elder in the sect but had never guessed it was Wei Yunxi, who had only just condensed her Yuányīng.
Only then did he see the true gap between them. That gap was widening. Yunxi was now a Nascent Soul Zhēnjūn, while his cultivation still lingered at mid-Golden Core.
With a sigh, Sheng Yuhong left the hall, deciding to enter seclusion himself. He no longer had the qualifications to even try to catch up with Yunxi.
Meanwhile, Yunxi, now being watched, sensed someone tailing her as she left Haoran Sect. She altered her course, unwilling to bring trouble back to the Wei family.
After moving far from the sect, she descended onto a mountain peak and called out calmly."Daoyou, you've been following me for quite some time. What advice do you seek?"
A white-robed figure soon appeared overhead, looking down on Yunxi with a condescending air. His gaze swept over her as though measuring her worth. "You are Wei Yunxi?"
Yunxi rolled her eyes internally. She hated this kind of posturing. His cultivation was equal to hers—hardly enough to deserve her deference. Instead of replying, she turned her divine sense into a sharp spike, piercing into his sea of consciousness.
The spike was laced with Mystic Thunder Violet Flame, ensuring a devastating blow. The man groaned, caught completely off-guard by her sudden psychic attack, and plummeted from the sky.
Yunxi was already in motion, Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff in hand, leaping skyward. Lightning-infused spiritual power surged into the weapon, and the Yao Guang star among its seven star engravings lit up brilliantly. In the next moment, the staff fell like a feather, striking the dazed Nascent Soul cultivator and sending him crashing into the mountaintop.
She had expected to kill him in one strike, but a white light flared around him, shielding him from the full blow.
Even so, he was badly injured, coughing blood as he staggered to his feet. His fury erupted as he summoned his natal sword, launching a counterattack.
Yunxi's brows arched, unafraid. She invoked Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind, splitting into five illusions to surround him. This time, she was determined to shatter his protective treasure.
The man, realizing her strength surpassed his own, dared not hold back. He activated his defensive artifact and poured spiritual energy into his sword. A massive sword shadow formed above his head.
Yunxi matched him, channeling thunder energy from the clouds through the Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff. "Mighty Thunderfall!"
Blue and violet forces clashed midair, obliterating the mountain beneath them.
Yunxi felt unsatisfied and began preparing another strike through her five shadow clones.
Her opponent, growing desperate, infused his sword with water spiritual energy. The new sword shadow that formed was even larger, carrying a trace of sword intent.
"Yunxi, stop!"